Jefferson County 4-H holds annual Recognition Ceremony

On Friday, Nov. 7, Jefferson County 4-H members, families, and volunteers gathered at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds for the annual Recognition Ceremony. Teen Council members and County Youth Coordinator, Abby Dingman, emceed the event.

The evening began by introducing the Extension Office staff, Jefferson County Extension Council members, Jefferson County Fair Board members, Premium Auction Committee members, 4-H Leaders, and Superintendents. Special recognition was given to Ashley Godwin, Justin Godwin, Shelbie Ollum, and Colton Smith for completing their first year as a 4-H leader. Mandy Schilb and Pheobe Wiley were recognized for 5 years of service, Amber Meixner and Heidi Pickard for 10 years of service and Julie Clubb for 20 years of service as a 4-H Leader.

All 4-H members were recognized for their years of 4-H membership by receiving their yearly 4-H pins. Teen Council members were recognized with certificates and pins. The Ceniteers 4-H Club was recognized for completing a Club Historian book.

The Jefferson County Cattlemen were awarded the Friends of 4-H Award. The Jefferson County Cattlemen have supported 4-H a number of ways in the past years, including grilling for the Premium Auction, hosting the Carcass scanning for beef exhibited at fair, as well as sponsoring several awards.

The following 4-H members completed record books this year: Dain Burkhart, Emma Cass, Camryn Clubb, Carly Clubb, Cydney Clubb, Kara Daugherty, Kinzley Dunkin, Mareyn Dunkin, Anna Hall, Brooklyn Harter, Brooklyn Ledger, Harper Martin, Addison McBeth, Kale McBeth, Kory McBeth, Piper Miller, Avanley Mottet, Brogan Mottet, Donna Noe, Finn Schafer, Vera Smith, Bristol Sobaski, Jack Sobaski, Natalie Steele, Seth Steele, and Avery Wendland. Each was recognized with a certificate.

Many of those members were also recognized with Project Area Awards, which are given out to members who have completed at least 2 years in the project area and maintained excellent records. They received certificates and pins. Cat Project- Emma Cass; Cattle Project: Seth Steele and Natalie Steele; Poultry Project: Cydney Clubb and Brooklyn Harter; Rabbit Project: Cydney Clubb and Brooklyn Harter; Swine Project: Bristol Sobaski and Jack Sobaski; Photography Project: Seth Steele, Bristol Sobaski, Emma Cass, Kory McBeth, Jack Sobaski, Natalie Steele, and Piper Miller; Visual Arts Project: Brooklyn Harter, Addison McBeth, and Natalie Steele; Food & Nutrition Project: Vera Smith, Kara Daugherty, and Emma Cass; Sewing & Needle Arts Project: Bristol Sobaski, and Avanley Mottet; Other Family and Consumer Science Project: Bristol Sobaski; Mechanics Project: Jack Sobaski; Woodworking Project: Jack Sobaski; Vegetables Project: Vera Smith; and Garden Containers Project: Vera Smith.

Record Book Awards were awarded to members who maintained excellent records in an entire project division with multiple areas. They each received a certificate and a medal. Record book award for Cat Project: Emma Cass; Beef Project: Seth Steele and Natalie Steele; Goat Project: Kory McBeth; Poultry Project: Vera Smith; Rabbit Project: Brooklyn Harter and Emma Cass; Swine Project: Bristol Sobaski and Jack Sobaski; Creative Arts Project: Seth Steele, Emma Cass, and Natalie Steele; Family and Consumer Science Project: Avanley Mottet and Kara Daugherty; Science, Technology, and Engineering Project: Jack Sobaski; Horticulture Project: Vera Smith; and Communications Event Project: Anna Hall

The Overall Record Book Award is given to a 4-Her who has maintained excellent records throughout all their project areas. The Overall Junior Record Book Award was given to Bristol Sobaski; the Overall Intermediate Record Book Award was given to Jack Sobaski; and the Overall Senior Record Book Award was given to Natalie Steele.

Outstanding Members are 4-H members who have demonstrated leadership skills beyond the club level and have shown personal growth through participation in a variety of 4-H work. They received a certificate and a trophy. Outstanding Junior Member were Cydney Clubb, Anna Hall, Brooklyn Harter, Avenley Mottet, Brogan Mottet, Vera Smith, Bristol Sobaski, and Seth Steele. The Outstanding Intermediate Members were Emma Cass, Carly Clubb, Kara Daugherty, and Jack Sobaski. The Outstanding Senior Members were Camryn Clubb, Piper Miller, and Natalie Steele.

Special Award winners were nominated by club leaders or superintendents. The Citizenship and Community Service Award was given to Alex Hudson, Carson Lovelady, Shaylynn McKim, and Piper Miller. The Lamp of Knowledge Award was given to KaliAnn Nupp and Finn Schafer. The Animal Leadership Award was given to Peyton Freeman and Kagan Vannoy. The Static Leadership Award was given to Josh Mineart.

Exceptional Awards are given to Senior level members. Both Mareyn Dunkin and Natalie Steele received the Danforth I Dare You! Award.

We appreciate the Greater Jefferson County Foundation for providing funding for the meal at Awards Night, as well as the Jefferson County Fair Board for use of the Activity Building. Jefferson County 4-H had 159 members during the 2024-2025 year. For more information about the 4-H program, visit: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/jefferson/